By Our Reporter
PORT HARCOURT — THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
The Commission pledged to remain focused on implementing strategic environmental projects to restore degraded ecosystems and build climate resilience in host communities.
The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr. Victor Antai, stated this in Port Harcourt during the commemoration of the 2026 World Environment Day.
Antai, who was represented by the Director II, Environmental Protection and Control, Elder Henry Okokon, noted that this year’s theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” underscores the urgent need for collective action to address the environmental challenges facing the region.
According to him, the Niger Delta has borne the environmental consequences of intensive resource exploitation for decades, with oil spills, gas flaring, coastal erosion, flooding, deforestation, and poor waste disposal continuing to threaten livelihoods and biodiversity.
He stated that under the leadership of the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Commission has placed environmental sustainability at the center of its development agenda. He noted that meaningful socio-economic progress can only be achieved within a healthy and resilient ecosystem.
Highlighting the Commission’s interventions, Antai listed ongoing environmental remediation, ecosystem restoration programmes, flood and erosion control projects, sustainable waste management initiatives, and climate-resilient livelihood schemes.
He further disclosed that the NDDC is strengthening partnerships with research institutions, environmental agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote the conservation of mangrove forests and wetlands, which serve as natural buffers against climate disasters.
”The Commission is actively engaging schools, youth groups, women’s associations, and community stakeholders to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among the people of the region,” Antai stated.
He called on operators in the oil and gas sector to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations, embrace cleaner technologies, and demonstrate greater commitment to remediation. He also urged local communities to support conservation efforts and report environmental violations.
Impact Assessments and Pollution Control
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Mrs. Anthonia Akpan, described World Environment Day as a vital United Nations platform for driving global awareness.
She observed that climate change is no longer a distant concept but a harsh reality affecting Niger Delta communities through rising sea levels, flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns.
Mrs. Akpan revealed that to mitigate these impacts, the NDDC subjects all its major projects to mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in compliance with statutory requirements.
She added that the Commission has maintained active engagement with oil and gas companies on pollution prevention, while organizing environmental summits to generate practical solutions for shoreline protection, canalisation, land reclamation, and integrated waste management.
Also speaking, the guest speaker, Prof. Iwekumo Agbozu, noted that climate change represents both a global environmental crisis and a local development challenge.
He called for well-coordinated responses from governments, institutions, communities, and individuals to safeguard the future of the region.